Dolygarn

Project Aims:

The main aim of this project is to demonstrate the process of converting a traditional set stocking beef and sheep farm to a rotational grazing system, and the associated benefits, to assist in the farm’s aim to become an all grass wintering system.

This project will focus on how pasture management and feed budgeting can support important on-farm decision making with regards to the following:

• Stock purchases and sales,
• Bulling and tupping dates
• Weaning date
• Applying Nitrogen
• Cutting Silage
• Feeding Supplement
• Housing

This project will highlight the practical considerations of dividing the farm up, and installing the relevant infrastructure.

Data Collection:

The Average Farm Cover will be measured by plate meter, measuring each field within the grazing platform on a fortnightly basis. Any winter forage crops grown will be sampled to estimate their DM value before grazing. 

An accurate record of the following will be kept, and updated on a fortnightly basis:

• Number of each stock class
• Average weight of each stock class
• Area of farm available for grazing
• Amount of supplement fed

All physical data collected will be recorded on the pasture-based FARMAX software.

The financial cost per hectare of setting up a rotational grazing system will also be recorded, to assess the return on investment.

“If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it”